Welcome to the official information and update journal for the Round Robin Photo Challenges. This is where you will find all the details for each photo challenge, such as the subject, the link to blog or journal where each challenge is being hosted, and all updates to the players participation lists.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Hi, Robins! I hope you've seen the entry Steven posted last night; if not, just scroll down when you're done here. It is an update of our Welcome entry, with an added FAQ addressing questions we've either answered before or wished someone had asked before doing something else.

This challenge is now closed. Thank you for playing!

Meanwhile, it's time to announce a new Challenge! I've wanted to use this one for a long time, but it always seemed I had some reason to put it off. The topic, Public Art, was suggested by our own Carly this past November. She describes the concept this way:

Public Art.

Every town across America has something artsy about it. Most cities have a public art program, although it may take a little bit of research to find where all the displays are located. My idea is to seek out the artsy side of the towns we live in or near, post the photo or photos and maybe write a short description of the art and the artist. If there is currently no display of Public Art in your area, then show us how your town decorates to invite visitors to your area. Banners, Welcome signs, etc.

Neat, huh? I don't know about your town, but Tucson has lots of public art, large and small, lofty, historic and sometimes just plain eccentric! In fact, I've been amassing photos of this for a while. Now I've got to go back and do the research part, and find out who made the public art, and when and why.

The date of the Challenge will be Saturday, August 23rd. As always, we ask you to RSVP below, and please don't post your entry early! Check the entry below this one for guidelines. Now go be photographers, and we'll see you all in just under two weeks, as we enjoy everyone's displays of Public Art!

Saturday, August 09, 2008

The Round Robin Photo Challenge is a twice monthly photo meme designed to let you have fun, discover new blogs all while looking at photos! We select future challenge topics from a pool of suggestions contributed by the challenge participants. Have fun and enjoy sharing and viewing the Round Robin Photos!

The Rules of Play

To keep the challenge running smoothly, we have three rules we'd like you to follow when signing up and playing in the challenges.

1.) Sign Up in CommentsWe ask that you leave your name, your blog's name, and your blog's address. Just like this example:

Joey RooA Kangaroo's BlogHttp://bouncetheblog.com/

2.) Do Not Post Your Photo Before the Day of the Challenge.Don't post early! It's not a race. Wait until the day of the challenge to post your challenge photo. This makes it easier on everybody dropping in to see your photo. If for some reason you can't, let us know and we'll try to accommodate you.

3.) Show Up and Play!You've gone ahead and signed up, so be sure to post your photo! Don't be a no show. If for some reason you can't make a challenge you signed up for, let us know before the challenge date.

The Round Robin Hosts

In addition to the Rules, Karen, Carly and Steven have responsibilities too. What to expect from your hosts :-)

1.) We will post new challenges on time and on schedule.2.) We will compile a linking list for each challenge.3.) We will cover for each other in case one or more hosts is unable to perform his or her challenge assignment.4.) We will be supportive and understanding of each other when things go wrong.

As hosts of the Round Robin Photo challenge we will maintain the Round Robin Photo Challenge blog. We will try, as best we can, to maintain a current blogroll of participants. We will try, as best we can, to maintain a current email contact list of participants. We will have fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Along the way we've been asked a lot of questions about playing in the Round Robin Photo Challenges. Here are the frequently asked questions:

Sign Up Questions:Q. Why do you need my information each time I play?A. We compile the linking list from the information you leave in comments. This makes it easier on us and the linking list makes navigating the current challenge player's blogs easier on everyone. Also, not everyone posts to the same blog every time. We hate to guess which blog you're using this time - we might guess wrong!

Q. What if I can't post my entry on the day of the challenge?A. You are welcome to post your entry a little late, anytime up to one week after each Challenge date. Better late than never! Alternatively, some blogging platforms let you create an entry ahead of time and schedule it to be posted on a certain date. Check your blogging software for details.

Q. Will you still link to me if I forget to leave my info?A. Not leaving your information makes it harder to compile the linking list so you might not make it. The best way to ensure you make it on the linking list is to leave your information!

Day of the Challenge Questions:Q. When do we post our entries for each challenge?A. The day of the challenge or anytime up to one week after each challenge

Q. I don't live in the U.S. Is it okay for me to post as soon as the Challenge date comes around where I live?A. Yes, it's okay. But because most Robins do live in the U.S., most entries get posted on U.S. time, and most people visit each other's blog either during that time frame or soon afterwards. If you wait until the Challenge date hits the U.S., you may end up getting more visitors to your blog than if you post it at 12:01 AM your time on the Challenge date.

General Photo Challenge Questions:Q. What do I need to do to play along with a challenge?A. A blog, a camera, digital photos (or scans of photos) and willingness to share your creativity!

Q. Do the photos I post have to be ones I have taken myself?A. Yes, please only use photos you have taken.

Q. Can I use other people's photos, or ones I find on the net?A. No, please use photos you have taken for the challenges.

Q. Why are the challenges played every two weeks, rather than weekly?A. You have time to plan, wait for the weather and get the shot! We try to keep things relaxed.

Q. Do I have to be invited to play?A. Nope. Jump in, sign up and have fun!

Q. Are there prizes?A. There are no prizes.

Linking List Questions:Q. Is it OK to copy the Linking List from the RR blog?A. Certainly! We compile the linking list to make navigation among the current challenge players easier.

Q. Do I have to comeback a second time and leave a direct link?A. Yes and no. Carly, Karen and Steven check the linking list and update it. Sometimes we can't monitor the list as closely as we'd like so if you want to comment that you've updated it's fine.

Q. Do I have to link to everybody else who plays?A. It's up to you. It's nice to link but it's not required. Your choice!

Photo Challenge Topic Questions:Q. How do I submit an idea for a future challenge?A. Email Carly, Karen or Steven. Sometimes we will use the challenges to request topics so keep an eye out!

Round Robin Photo Challenge Blog Questions:Q: How do I get on the Blogroll?A: Participate in the challenges!

Thanks for playing - Carly, Karen & Steven

Note: If you have any questions regarding the Round Robin Challenges, please email either Karen, Steven or Carly, do not leave your questions in the comments, and we will answer your inquiry as soon as possible. :)